NIH Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network
(OppNet) Short-term Mentored Career Development Awards in the Basic Behavioral
and Social Sciences for Mid-career and Senior Investigators (K18)

This NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), issued by
the NIH Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network [OppNet]
solicits applications for short-term mentored career development (K18) awards
in the basic behavioral and social sciences research (b-BSSR) from three
months to one year in duration. The program targets established, mid-career
and senior investigators, to support their development of research capability
in b-BSSR. Two categories of candidates are targeted: (a) biomedical or
clinical researchers with little experience in basic behavioral and social
sciences research who seek training with a well established b-BSSR
investigator in order to explore the introduction of b-BSSR into their
research programs; and (b) investigators in the basic or applied behavioral
and social sciences who wish to build new components or domains of basic-BSSR
into their research programs. The intent of this FOA is to provide candidates
with protected time to achieve a shift in the focus of their research
direction in the basic behavioral and social sciences, or to substantially
enrich a current b-BSSR research program through the introduction of tools,
theories or approaches from another discipline or area of science; it is not
intended as a substitute for research project support. This FOA is sponsored
by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Basic Behavioral and Social
Science Opportunity Network (“OppNet”).
OppNet strongly encourages investigators to consult NIH-OBSSR’s definitions
related to b-BSSR for OppNet-related FOAs.

This FOA is not intended as a substitute for research
project support. It is expected that either the candidate or the mentor
has sufficient research funding to support the proposed project. It is
not a requirement that the candidate or the proposed mentor receive their
primary funding through the NIH.

Candidates must hold the rank of Associate Professor or Professor,
or their equivalent in non-academic settings, and propose a mentored career
development and career enhancement program, along with a research project, to
be conducted in a different department within their home institution or
different institutional setting from the location where they hold their primary
appointment. The host mentoring laboratory/research program is expected to
demonstrate appropriate research and resources to provide a new research
direction for the candidate. In most cases, the candidate and the
proposed host laboratory/research program will not have any previous research
collaborations, but candidates may propose such arrangements with justification
as to why this program will facilitate career development that could not be achieved
solely through a research grant mechanism. Candidates may propose an experience
at a location which is geographically and physically separate from the
candidate organization but this separation is not required or preferred.
Departmental and School administrators for the Departments and Schools of the
candidates should describe any institutional commitments the candidate will
maintain during the period of the research career enhancement and any special
provisions which will be made to provide appropriate release time. In
particular, the administration should demonstrate their commitment to the
candidate’s separation from current responsibilities during the sabbatical
period.

Candidates should also describe any clinical,
administrative, research, or grant related commitments they intend to maintain
during the period of the award, and arrangements which will be made to provide
protected release time. Candidates may propose a career development program of
a minimum of three months and up to one year in duration and are expected to
devote between 25% and 50% of total annual effort to this career enhancement
program

About
OppNet:

OppNet is a trans-NIH initiative that funds activities that
build the collective body of knowledge about the nature of behavior and social
systems, and that deepen our understanding of basic mechanisms of behavioral
and social processes. All 24 NIH Institutes and Centers that fund research and
four Program Offices within the NIH Office of the Director (ICOs) co-fund and
co-manage OppNet. All OppNet initiatives invite investigators to propose
innovative research that will advance a targeted domain of basic social and
behavioral sciences and produce knowledge and/or tools of potential relevance
to multiple domains of health- and life course-related research. Applicants
should understand that the NIH Institute or Center (IC) that made this FOA
available to the public is not necessarily the NIH IC that ultimately will
manage a funded OppNet project. For more information about OppNet and all its
funding opportunities, visit http://oppnet.nih.gov.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Basic Behavioral and
Social Sciences Opportunity Network (OppNet) has identified a gap in career
development funding opportunities for mid-career and senior level
investigators. Specifically, a program is needed that provides the flexibility
to allow these established investigators the support and protected time to
obtain the necessary training and research experience to expand their already
productive research programs to explore new directions in basic behavioral and
social sciences research (b-BSSR).

Research
Scope:

The priority of OppNet is to build upon the existing body of
knowledge about the nature of behavior and social systems by supporting
initiatives that focus on basic mechanisms of behavior and social processes
that are relevant to the missions and public health challenges addressed by
multiple NIH ICOs. Basic behavioral and social science research includes research
on behavioral and social processes, interactions between biology, behavior and
social processes, and research on methodology and measurement as described
below.

Examples
of research topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

(A). Research on behavioral and social processes

Research on behavioral and social processes involves the
study of human or animal functioning at the level of the individual, small
group, institution, organization, community, or population. At the individual
level, this research may involve the study of behavioral factors such as
cognition, memory, language, perception, personality, emotion, motivation, and
others. At higher levels of aggregation, it includes the study of social
variables such as the structure and dynamics of small groups (e.g. couples,
families, work groups, etc.); institutions and organizations (e.g. schools,
religious organizations, etc.); communities (defined by geography or common
interest); and larger demographic, political, economic, and cultural systems.
Research on behavioral and social processes also includes the study of the
interactions within and between these two levels of aggregation, such as the
influence of sociocultural factors on cognitive processes or emotional
responses. Finally, this research also includes the study of environmental
factors (both natural and human created) such as climate, noise, environmental
hazards, residential and other built environments and their effects on
behavioral and social functioning.

Sensation and perception

Emotion and motivation

Vulnerability and resilience

Attention, learning and memory

Ingestive, sexual and aggressive behaviors

Language development

Social influences and social cognition

Family processes and social networks

Sociocultural and environmental processes, population dynamics

(B). Interactions between biology, behavior and social
processes

The study of the interactions of biological factors with
behavioral or social variables and how they affect each other (i.e., the study
of bi-directional multilevel relationships). Examples of research topics
include, but are not limited to, the following:

Gene by environment interactions and correlations, including
epigenetic effects, over time and lifespan developmental phases

Behavior genetics

Behavioral, cognitive, affective, social and economic
neurosciences

Psychoneuroimmunology and psychoneuroendocrinology

Psychopharmacology

Behavioral cardiology

Social networks and the spread of vectors of disease

(C). Research on methodology and measurement in the
behavioral and social sciences

Research on methodology and measurement encompasses the
development of new approaches to research design, data collection, measurement,
and data analysis. This research is designed to develop research tools that
could be used in the behavioral and social sciences or in biomedical research
or their interaction.

Examples of research topics include, but are not limited to,
the following:

Research on methods for analyzing complex dynamic systems

Development or application of technologies, such as information
technology, wearable sensors, or monitoring systems for data collection,
harmonization, and measurement

Statistical modeling techniques

Development of innovative research designs (e.g., multi-method,
multi-informant designs)

Methods to reduce sampling, survey, and item non-response bias in
research studies

Development of new technologies, tools, and methods for observing
and analyzing behavior

Qualitative and ethnographic methods

Development of novel animal models of behavior or translation of
existing models toward new problems

Development of new measurement procedures for behavioral,
neuropsychological, and social phenomena.

Section II. Award Information

Funding Instrument

Grant

Application Types Allowed

New

The OER
Glossary and the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on
these application types.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards

The number of awards is contingent upon funds available,
and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.
OppNet and partner components intend to commit an estimated total of up to $1.5 million to capacity
building grants in FY2011 which includes but is not limited to this FOA.

Award Budget

Award budgets are composed of salary and other
program-related expenses, as described below.

Award Project Period

The total project period may not exceed 1 year.

Other Award Budget Information

Salary

NIH will contribute a minimum of 25% up to a maximum of 50% of full-time professional effort per year toward
the salary of the career award recipient.

The total salary requested must be based on a full-time staff appointment. The
salary must be consistent both with the established salary structure at the
institution and with salaries actually provided by the institution from its
own funds to other staff members of equivalent qualifications, rank, and
responsibilities in the department concerned.

The sponsoring institution may supplement the NIH salary contribution up to a
level that is consistent with the institution's salary scale. However,
supplementation may not be from Federal funds unless specifically authorized
by the Federal program from which such funds are derived. In no case may PHS
funds be used for salary supplementation. Institutional supplementation of
salary must not require extra duties or responsibilities that would interfere
with the purpose of the career award.

Other Program-Related Expenses

NIH will contribute up to $20,000 in direct costs per year toward the research development costs of the award recipient, which must be
justified and consistent with the stage of development of the candidate and
the proportion of time to be spent in research or career development
activities.

Salary for mentors is not allowed.

Indirect Costs

Indirect Costs (also known as Facilities &
Administrative [F&A] Costs) are reimbursed at 8% of modified total direct
costs.

NIH grants policies as
described in the NIH Grants
Policy Statement will apply to the
applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.

Section
III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible Organizations

Higher Education Institutions:

Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education

Private Institutions of Higher Education

The following types of Higher Education Institutions
are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private
Institutions of Higher Education:

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are
not eligible to apply. Foreign (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are allowed.

Required Registrations

Applicant organizations must complete the following registrations
as described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply
for or receive an award. Applicants must have a valid Dun and Bradstreet
Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in order to begin each of the following
registrations.

All Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs) must
also work with their institutional officials to register with the eRA Commons
or ensure their existing eRA Commons account is affiliated with the eRA Commons
account of the applicant organization.

All registrations must be completed by the application due
date. Applicant organizations are strongly encouraged to start the registration
process at least four (4) weeks prior to the application due date.

Eligible Individuals (Project Director/Principal Investigator)

Any candidate with the skills, knowledge, and resources
necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Project Director/Principal
Investigator (PD/PI) is invited to work with his/her mentor and organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented
racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always
encouraged to apply for NIH support. Multiple Principal Investigators are not
allowed.

This award is intended for mid-career and senior
investigators holding a research or health professional doctorate who are at
the academic rank of Associate Professor or Professor, or the equivalent in
nonacademic settings, who have established records of independent research who
seek an intense, mentored career development experience which will
substantially improve their ability to pursue future research in the basic
behavioral and social sciences. Targeted candidates include: (a) biomedical or
clinical researchers with little experience in basic behavioral and social
sciences research who seek training with a well established b-BSSR investigator
in order to explore the introduction of b-BSSR into their research programs;
and (b) investigators in the basic or applied behavioral and social sciences
who wish to build new components or domains of b-BSSR into their research
programs.

Candidates must identify one or more mentors with extensive
research experience in an appropriate domain or discipline, who are
well-qualified and willing to sponsor the short term research career
development experience. It is expected that the proposed career development
plan will represent a novel extension of the research of the candidate. In most
cases, the candidate and the proposed host laboratory/research program will not
have any previous research collaborations, but candidates may propose such
arrangements with justification as to why this program will facilitate career
development that could not be achieved solely through a research grant
mechanism

By the time of award, the individual must be a citizen or a
non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for
permanent residence (i.e., possess a currently valid Permanent Resident Card
USCIS Form I-551, or other legal verification of such status), or for non-U.S. citizen/permanent residents, requirements are described below.

Award
recipients may hold concurrent NIH research project grant support as a
PD/PI or subproject director, provided the aggregate effort does not exceed
one-hundred percent.

Applicant organizations may submit more than one application,
provided that each application is scientifically distinct.

NIH will not accept any application that is essentially the
same as one already reviewed. An individual may not have two or more competing
NIH career development applications pending review concurrently.

Candidates may only submit one application in response this
FOA.

Level of Effort

At the time of award, the candidate must have a “full-time”
appointment at the academic institution that is the applicant institution. Candidates
who have VA appointments may not consider part of the VA effort toward
satisfying the “full time” requirement at the applicant institution. Candidates
with VA appointments should contact the staff person in the relevant Institute
or Center prior to preparing an application to discuss their eligibility. Under
certain circumstances, an awardee may submit a written request to the awarding
component requesting a reduction in minimum required percent effort, which will
be considered on a case-by-case basis. Details on this policy are provided in NOT-OD-09-036.

Mentor

Before submitting the application, the candidate must
identify a mentor who will supervise the proposed training and research
experience. The mentor should be an active investigator in the area of the
proposed research training and be committed both to the career development of
the candidate and to the direct supervision of the candidate’s research. The
mentor must document the availability of sufficient research support and
facilities for high-quality research. The mentor, or a member of the mentoring
team, should have a successful track record of mentoring. Candidates are
encouraged to identify more than one mentor, i.e., a mentoring team, if this is
deemed advantageous for providing expert advice in all aspects of the research
and training program. In such cases, one individual must be identified as the
principal mentor who will coordinate the candidate’s research. The candidate
must work with the mentor(s) in preparing the application.

The mentor should describe the research training plan for the candidate
(coordinated with the candidate’s research strategy). The mentor and any co-mentors
are also expected to provide an assessment of the candidate’s qualifications
and potential for a research career. The research environment and the
availability and quality of needed research facilities and research resources
(e.g., equipment, laboratory space, computer time, available research support,
etc.) must also be described. The description should include items such as
classes, seminars, and opportunities for interaction with other groups and
scientists. Training in career skills, e.g. grant-writing and making effective
presentations, is strongly encouraged.

Section
IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Requesting an Application Package

Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application
package associated with this funding opportunity using the “Apply for Grant
Electronically” button in this FOA or following the directions provided at Grants.gov.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in
the SF424
(R&R) Application Guide, except where instructed in this funding
opportunity announcement to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in
the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are
out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Required and Optional Components

The forms package associated with this FOA includes all
applicable components, mandatory and optional. Please note that some
components marked optional in the application package are required for
application submission. Follow the instructions in the SF 424 (R&R) to
determine which components are required.

Page Limitations

All page limitations described in the SF424 (R&R)
Application Guide and the Table of
Page Limits must be followed .

PHS 398 Career Development Award Supplemental Form

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide
must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

Candidate’s Background (Component of Candidate
Information)

Discuss the candidate’s research efforts and accomplishments in
health- and lifecourse-related research to this point as an independent
investigator, including publications, prior research interests and experience
and history of research support.

Discuss the candidate’s objectives and long term career plans,
and how these relate to the proposed activities in the career enhancement
award, with a focus on how the proposed work will advance understanding of
basic mechanisms of behavioral and social processes that will have broad
relevance to the NIH mission.

Present evidence of the candidate’s potential to augment his/her
research career through this career enhancement award.

Include a statement that the candidate will commit 25-50% effort
to the short-term career enhancement program and related activities.
Include a description of the candidate’s professional responsibilities and show
their relationship to the proposed activities of the career enhancement award.

Provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to interact and
collaborate with other scientists.

Describe the candidate’s commitment to a health- and
lifecourse-related research scientist career with a focus on expected
contributions in the basic behavioral and social sciences relevant to the
mission of the NIH.

Career Goals and Objectives (Component of Candidate
Information)

Provide details of the career enhancement plan, tailoring it to
the candidate’s goals, prior experience and career level, as well as the intent
of the K18 award.

Provide a systematic plan for progression of research
experiences for the period of the award and beyond to exploit the career
enhancement activities provided by the K18, emphasizing the potential to
advance knowledge about the nature of behavior and social systems or to deepen
our understanding of basic mechanisms of behavioral and social processes.

Justify the need for further career enhancement in relation to
the candidate’s future research goals.

Career Development/Training Activities During Award
Period (Component of Candidate Information)

The candidate and the mentor are jointly responsible for the
preparation of the career development plan. A timeline is often helpful.

A small scale/pilot research project in the basic behavioral and
social sciences that is consistent with the goals of this FOA and the
objectives of the career enhancement should be described. The project
must include research in the basic behavioral and social sciences, and may take
the form of a small scale or pilot project which would expand the research
scope of a currently funded project(s).

Organize the research plan as indicated in the Form 398,
following instructions for Specific Aims, Research Strategy, (Significance,
Innovation, Approach) , to the extent possible and appropriate. The candidate
should consult with the mentor regarding the development of this section.

The candidate must name a primary mentor, who, together with the
candidate, is responsible for the planning, direction, and execution of the
program. The candidate may also identify co-mentors as appropriate to the goals
of the program.

The mentor(s) should be recognized as an accomplished
investigator in the proposed research area and have a track record of success
in training independent investigators.

Each mentor and co-mentor(s) must provide a statement of his/her
areas of expertise and responsibility. Co-mentors should clearly describe how
they will coordinate mentoring of
the candidate. If any of the co-mentors is not located at the sponsoring
institution, a statement should be provided describing the mechanism(s) and
frequency of communication with the candidate, including the frequency of
personal meetings.

Where feasible, women, individuals from diverse racial and
ethnic groups and individuals with disabilities should be involved as mentors
to serve as role models.

Signed statements must be provided by each collaborator/ consultant
confirming their participation in the project and describing their specific
roles. Collaborators and consultants generally do not need to provide their
biographical sketches. However, information should be provided that clearly
documents expertise in the proposed area(s) of collaboration/consultation.

The application must include a statement from the mentor
providing: 1) information on his/her research qualifications and previous
experience as a research mentor; 2) a plan that describes the nature of the
mentoring that will occur during the proposed award period, including how the
Candidate’s scientific and professional independence will be promoted; 3) the
ongoing research activities and research grant support of the mentor, along
with how the research activities of the candidate will dovetail with these.

Description of Institutional Environment (Component of
Environment and Institutional Commitment to the Candidate)

Describe the sponsoring institution’s scientific environment
including the resources and facilities that will be available to the candidate.

Institutional Commitment to the Candidate’s Research
Career Development (Component of Environment and Institutional Commitment to the
Candidate)

The candidate’s institution must provide a clear and unambiguous
statement of assurance that during the active period of the K18 award the
candidate will be released from all administrative, teaching and/or clinical
duties that infringe on his/her commitment to the award, and that he/she will
be able to devote a minimum of 25-50% total annual effort to the research
career enhancement program in b-BSSR. The institutional statement should
also indicate what, if any, duties or commitments the candidate will continue
to maintain, and how any grant related responsibilities will be delegated.

Provide assurances that appropriate time and support for any
proposed mentor(s) and/or other staff consistent with the career development
plan will be provided.

Describe how the research environment of the host
laboratory/research program and institution is particularly suited for the
advanced development of the candidate’s research career and the pursuit of the
proposed research plan. A Resources format page is required for the host
laboratory/research program.

Describe the resources and facilities that will be
made available to the candidate.

Research Strategy (Component of Research Plan)

A sound research project that is consistent with the candidate’s
level of research development and objectives of his/her career development plan
must be provided. The research description should demonstrate not only the
quality of the candidate’s research thus far but also the novelty,
significance, creativity and approach, as well as the ability of the candidate
to carry out the research.

The application must also describe the relationship between the
mentor’s research and the candidate’s proposed research plan.

If more than one mentor is proposed, the respective areas of
expertise and responsibility should be described.

There is no need to provide extensive detail with regard to
ongoing, funded research. Enough information should, however, be provided to
permit the peer reviewers to evaluate the extent, special features and general
quality of the candidate's research activities and opportunities for mentoring.

Describe how this award will be used to help augment the
candidate’s research skills and/or develop new directions in b-BSSR research.
Although it is not expected that this description would be as detailed as an
application for an investigator-initiated research grant (e.g., R01), it is
expected that sufficient detail be provided to permit an evaluation of the
scientific merit of the research, and to clearly show research opportunities
for mentoring.

Appendix

Do not use the appendix to circumvent page limits.
Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R)
Application Guide.

No supplemental/update information will be accepted.

Letters of Reference

Letters of reference are not required. However, the
mentor should submit a letter outlining his/her support of the application.

3. Submission Dates and Times

Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates. Applicants are encouraged to submit in
advance of the deadline to ensure they have time to make any application
corrections that might be necessary for successful submission.

Organizations must submit applications via Grants.gov, the online portal to find and apply for grants
across all Federal agencies. Applicants must then complete the submission
process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH’s electronic system for grants
administration.

Applicants are
responsible for viewing their application in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate
and successful submission.

Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are
provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Salary support: The salary requested for the candidate must be consistent with
both the established salary structure for full-time staff appointments and with
salaries actually provided by the sponsoring institution from its own funds to
other staff members of equivalent qualifications, rank and responsibilities in
the applicant department. The candidate is required to devote between 25%
and 50% of his or her total annual effort to this career enhancement program
for a period of three to twelve months.

Research Development Support: The research development
support costs may not exceed $20,000 and must be justified and be consistent
with the project proposed and the proportion of time spent in research and career
enhancement activities. Salary for ancillary personnel support, such as
mentors, secretarial, and administrative assistants is not allowed.

6. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Applications must be submitted electronically following the
instructions described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.

For assistance with your electronic application or for
more information on the electronic submission process, visit Applying
Electronically.

Important reminders:All PD/PIs must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential fieldof
the Senior/Key Person Profile Component of the SF 424(R&R) Application
Package. Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI
Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an
electronic application to NIH.

The applicant organization must ensure that the DUNS number it provides on the
application is the same number used in the organization’s profile in the eRA
Commons and for the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). Additional
information may be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for
completeness by the Center for Scientific Review and responsiveness by members of the OppNet K18 working group, NIH. Applications that are incomplete and/or nonresponsive will not be reviewed.

Post Submission Materials

Applicants are required to follow the instructions for
post-submission materials, as described in NOT-OD-10-115.

Section V. Application Review
Information

1. Criteria

Only the review criteria described below will be considered
in the review process. As part of the NIH mission,
all applications submitted to the NIH in support of biomedical and behavioral
research are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer
review system.

Overall Impact

Reviewers should provide their assessment of the likelihood
for the candidate to maintain a strong research program, taking into
consideration the criteria below in determining the overall impact/priority
score.

Scored Review Criteria

Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in
the determination of scientific merit, and give a separate score for each. An
application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to
have major scientific impact.

Candidate

Describe the candidate’s commitment to a health- and
lifecourse-related research scientist career with a focus on expected
contributions in the basic behavioral and social sciences.
Discuss the candidate’s research efforts and accomplishments in health- and
lifecourse-related research to this point as an independent investigator,
including publications, prior research interests and experience and history of
research support.

Discuss the candidate’s objectives and long term career plans, and how these
relate to the proposed activities in the career enhancement award, with a focus
on how the proposed work will advance understanding of basic mechanisms of
behavioral and social processes that will have broad relevance to the NIH
mission.

Present evidence of the candidate’s potential to augment his/her research
career through this career enhancement award.

Include a statement that the candidate will commit 25-50% effort to the
short-term career enhancement program and related activities. Include a
description of the candidate’s professional responsibilities and show their
relationship to the proposed activities of the career enhancement award.

Provide evidence of the candidate’s ability to interact and collaborate with
other scientists.

Career Development Plan/ Career Goals & Objectives/
Plan to Provide Mentoring

Provide details of the career enhancement plan, tailoring
it to the candidate’s goals, prior experience and career level, as well as the
intent of the K18 award.

Provide a systematic plan for progression of research experiences for the
period of the award and beyond to exploit the career enhancement activities
provided by the K18, emphasizing the potential to advance knowledge about the
nature of behavior and social systems or to deepen our understanding of basic
mechanisms of behavioral and social processes.

Justify the need for further career enhancement in relation to the candidate’s
future research goals.

The candidate and the mentor are
jointly responsible for the preparation of the career enhancement plan. A
timeline for the phasing of the training and research phases of the K18 should
be included.

Research Plan

A small scale/pilot research project in the basic
behavioral and social sciences that is consistent with the goals of this FOA
and the objectives of the career enhancement should be described. The
project must include research in the basic behavioral and social sciences, and
may take the form of a small scale or pilot project which would expand the
research scope of a currently funded project(s).

Organize the research plan as indicated in the Form 398, following
instructions for Specific Aims, Research Strategy, (Significance, Innovation,
Approach) , to the extent possible and appropriate. The candidate should
consult with the mentor regarding the development of this section.

Mentor(s), Co-Mentor(s), Consultant(s), Collaborator(s)

The mentor should be recognized as an accomplished
investigator in his or her scientific domain, and have a track record of
success in training independent investigators. Are the mentor's research
qualifications in the area of the proposed research appropriate? Do(es) the
mentor(s) adequately address the candidate’s potential and his/her strengths
and areas of improvement? Is there adequate description of the quality and
extent of the mentor’s proposed role in providing guidance and advice to the
candidate? Is the mentor’s description of the elements of the research
activities adequate? Is there evidence of the mentor’s, consultant’s,
collaborator’s previous experience in fostering the development of independent
investigators? Is there evidence of previous research productivity and
peer-reviewed support? Is active/pending support for the proposed research project
appropriate and adequate? Where feasible, women, individuals from diverse
racial and ethnic groups and individuals with disabilities should be involved
as mentors to serve as role models.

Candidates must name a primary mentor who, together with the applicant, is
responsible for the planning, direction, and execution of the program.
Candidates may also nominate co-mentors, as appropriate to the goals of the
program.

The application must include a statement from the mentor providing: (1)
information on his/her research qualifications and previous experience as a
research mentor; (2) a mentoring plan describing the content and nature of the
mentoring that will occur during the proposed award period; and (3) The ongoing
research activities and research grant support of the mentor, along with how
the research activities of the candidate will dovetail with these.

Similar information must be provided by any co-mentor, if more than one mentor
is proposed. The respective areas of expertise and responsibility of the
primary mentor and co-mentor(s) should be described.

Signed statements should be provided by each consultant/collaborator confirming
his/her role in the project.

Environment & Institutional Commitment to the
Candidate

Describe the resources and facilities that will be
made available to the candidate.

Describe how the research environment of the host laboratory/research program
and institution is particularly suited for the advanced development of the
candidate’s research career and the pursuit of the proposed research
plan. A Resources format page is required for the host
laboratory/research program.

The candidate’s institution must provide a clear and unambiguous statement of
assurance that during the active period of the K18 award the candidate will be
released from all administrative, teaching and/or clinical duties that infringe
on his/her commitment to the award, and that he/she will be able to devote a
minimum of 25-50% total annual effort to the research career enhancement
program in b-BSSR. The institutional statement should also indicate what,
if any, duties or commitments the candidate will continue to maintain, and how
any grant related responsibilities will be delegated.

Additional Review Criteria

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will
evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and
technical merit, and in providing an overall impact/priority score, but will
not give separate scores for these items.

Protections for Human Subjects

For research that involves human subjects but does
not involve one of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR
Part 46, the committee will evaluate the justification for involvement of human
subjects and the proposed protections from research risk relating to their
participation according to the following five review criteria: 1) risk to
subjects, 2) adequacy of protection against risks, 3) potential benefits to the
subjects and others, 4) importance of the knowledge to be gained, and 5) data
and safety monitoring for clinical trials.

For research that involves human subjects and meets the criteria for one or more
of the six categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the
committee will evaluate: 1) the justification for the exemption, 2) human
subjects involvement and characteristics, and 3) sources of materials. For
additional information on review of the Human Subjects section, please refer to
the Human
Subjects Protection and Inclusion Guidelines.

Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children

When the proposed project involves clinical research,
the committee will evaluate the proposed plans for inclusion of minorities and
members of both genders, as well as the inclusion of children. For additional
information on review of the Inclusion section, please refer to the Human
Subjects Protection and Inclusion Guidelines.

Vertebrate Animals

The committee will evaluate the involvement of live
vertebrate animals as part of the scientific assessment according to the
following five points: 1) proposed use of the animals, and species, strains,
ages, sex, and numbers to be used; 2) justifications for the use of animals and
for the appropriateness of the species and numbers proposed; 3) adequacy of
veterinary care; 4) procedures for limiting discomfort, distress, pain and
injury to that which is unavoidable in the conduct of scientifically sound
research including the use of analgesic, anesthetic, and tranquilizing drugs
and/or comfortable restraining devices; and 5) methods of euthanasia and reason
for selection if not consistent with the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. For
additional information on review of the Vertebrate Animals section, please
refer to the Worksheet
for Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section.

Biohazards

Reviewers will assess whether materials or procedures
proposed are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the
environment, and if needed, determine whether adequate protection is proposed.

Resubmissions

Resubmissions are not permitted in
response to this FOA.

Renewals

Renewals are not permitted in response to this FOA.

Revisions

For Revisions, the committee will consider the
appropriateness of the proposed expansion of the scope of the project. If the
Revision application relates to a specific line of investigation presented in
the original application that was not recommended for approval by the committee,
then the committee will consider whether the responses to comments from the
previous scientific review group are adequate and whether substantial changes
are clearly evident.

Additional Review Considerations

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will
consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items,
and should not consider them in providing an overall impact/priority score.

Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research

Taking into account
the circumstances of the candidate, including the more senior level of
experience of candidates for this award, the reviewers will address the
following questions. Does the plan satisfactorily address the format of
instruction, e.g. lectures, coursework, and/or real-time discussion groups that
the candidate will participate in? Do plans include a sufficiently broad
selection of subject matter, such as conflict of interest, authorship, data
management, human subjects and animal use, laboratory safety? Do the plans
adequately describe the candidate’s role in the participation in instruction in
RCR? Does the plan meet the minimum requirements for RCR, i.e., eight contact
hours of instruction every four years?. Plans and past record will be
rated as acceptable or unacceptable, and the summary statement
will provide the consensus rating of the review committee. Applications rated unacceptable will not be funded until the applicant provides an acceptable, revised plan.

Select Agent Research

Reviewers will assess the information provided in
this section of the application, including 1) the Select Agent(s) to be used in
the proposed research, 2) the registration status of all entities where Select
Agent(s) will be used, 3) the procedures that will be used to monitor
possession use and transfer of Select Agent(s), and 4) plans for appropriate
biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the Select Agent(s).

Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the
requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to
the proposed research.

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical
merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s) convened by the Center for Scientific Review (assignments will be shown in the eRA Commons), in
accordance with NIH peer
review policy and procedures, using the stated review
criteria.

As part of the scientific peer review, all applications
will:

Undergo a selection process in which only those applications
deemed to have the highest scientific and technical merit (generally the top
half of applications under review), will be discussed and assigned an overall impact/priority
score.

Receive a written critique.

Applications will be assigned to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center. Applications will compete for available funds
with all other recommended applications submitted in response to this FOA . Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of
review by the appropriate national Advisory Council or Board . The following
will be considered in making funding decisions:

Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as
determined by scientific peer review.

Availability of funds.

Relevance of the proposed project to program priorities.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

After the peer review of the application is completed, the
PD/PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique)
via the eRA
Commons.

If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH
will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant as
described in the NIH Grants
Policy Statement.

A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided
to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA signed by
the grants management officer is the authorizing document and will be sent via
email to the grantee business official.

Awardees must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions. Selection
of an application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any
costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the recipient's risk. These
costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs.

Selection of an application for award is not an
authorization to begin performance. Any costs incurred before receipt of the NoA
are at the recipient's risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent
considered allowable pre-award costs.

In carrying out its stewardship of human resource-related
programs, the NIH may request information essential to an assessment of the
effectiveness of this program. Accordingly, recipients are hereby notified that
they may be contacted after the completion of this award for periodic updates
on various aspects of their employment history, publications, support from
research grants or contracts, honors and awards, professional activities, and
other information helpful in evaluating the impact of the program.

A final progress report, invention statement, and Financial
Status Report are required when an award is relinquished when a recipient
changes institutions or when an award is terminated.

The Federal
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act),
includes a requirement for awardees of Federal grants to report information
about first-tier subawards and executive compensation under Federal assistance
awards issued in FY2011 or later. All awardees of applicable NIH grants and
cooperative agreements are required to report to the Federal Subaward
Reporting System (FSRS) available at www.FSRS.gov on all subawards over
$25,000. See the NIH Grants Policy Statement for additional information on
this reporting requirement.

Section VII. Agency Contacts

We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity
and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.

Because of the difference in individual Institute and Center
(IC) program requirements for this FOA, prospective applications MUST consult the Table of IC-Specific Information,
Requirements, and Staff Contacts, to make sure that their
application is responsive to the requirements of one of the participating NIH
ICs. Prior consultation with NIH staff is strongly encouraged.

Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and
under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92.